RESIDENTS packed into a public meeting to voice their concerns about plans to redevelop a haulage yard in Frodsham.

Helsby and Longden is in the process of vacating the yard in Bridge Lane and relocating the haulage business a mile away at the Ashville Industrial Estate in Runcorn.

Redrow Homes wants to redevelop the site and is seeking permission from Vale Royal Borough Council to build 14 houses and 43 apartments in two and three-storey blocks.

Frodsham Town Council, which called the meeting, had invited a representative from Redrow Homes.

However, town mayor Graham Bondi said: 'We did try, and I believe Mr Longden tried to get them to come, but it seems it's a policy of theirs not to attend meetings of this nature, which is regrettable.'

Town councillor Pammi Taylor suggested the authority write to Redrow 'in pretty strong terms, because not turning up doesn't show a lot of respect for the people of Frodsham'.

Simon Longden, of Helsby and Longden Ltd, addressed the meeting.

He said: 'As the developers are not able to be present, I thought it appropriate that someone should be here on behalf of the applicants.'

Mr Longden said his haulage company had been a local employer for more than 70 years and was committed to the Frodsham area, but the company had outgrown its Bridge Lane site.

He said: 'The site at Ashville became available last year and, coincidentally, we were approached by a developer.

'We have already moved our warehouse and offices to the new site and plan to move the HGV parking and maintenance there.

'We are not selling the Business Centre in Bridge Lane, and only Frodsham Tyre Company and Hurst Joinery will be affected, and we are planning to relocate them within the existing Bridge Lane site.'

Mr Longden said no jobs would be lost as a result of the move.

'In fact, we have already employed an additional eight people, and all proceeds of the site sale will be reinvested at Ashville and at Bridge Lane.'

However, several aspects of the housing scheme came under fire from residents. Families living in Francis Road, whose homes back on to Bridge Lane opposite the haulage yard, were particularly worried about the height of the proposed three-storey blocks of apartments.

Resident David Hughes said: 'We are 5ft lower than the main road and the haulage yard, and building anything higher there would rob us of natural light, especially in winter. And we don't want anyone in these apartments looking out of their front window right into our bedrooms.'

Doreen Woods, of Langdale Way said: 'I'm not against the development because I think it will enhance the area.

'But I am concerned about the close proximity of three-storey buildings and the threat of overlooking the backs of 13-23 Langdale Way.'

Another major concern involved the public footpath running from Bridge Lane, along the side of the haulage yard and the back of houses in Langdale Way.

PC Emma Parry backed residents' calls for the town council to press for the footpath to be rerouted away from the backs of the houses, where youths regularly gathered at night.

Peter Whittle, of Langdale Way, said: 'This is a rat run and if the path can't be done away with altogether, it should go back to its original route'